Wikipedia

Eric Lauer

Eric Lance Lauer (born June 3, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers, and in the KBO League for the Kia Tigers. He played college baseball for the Kent State Golden Flashes of Kent State University. Lauer made his MLB debut with the Padres in 2018 and was traded to the Brewers before the 2020 season.

Eric Lauer
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1995-06-03) June 3, 1995 (age 29)
Elyria, Ohio, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Left
Professional debut
MLB: April 24, 2018, for the San Diego Padres
KBO: August 11, 2024, for the Kia Tigers
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record36–37
Earned run average4.30
Strikeouts567
KBO statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record2–2
Earned run average4.93
Strikeouts37
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Early life

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Lauer was born and raised in Elyria, Ohio. He attended Midview High School in Grafton, Ohio, where he played for the schools' baseball team as a pitcher and was a member of the National Honor Society. Lauer took college courses at Lorain County Community College while still in high school.[1] He grew up as a fan of the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball (MLB).[2]

Career

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Amateur career

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At Midview, Lauer played for the baseball team as a pitcher and first baseman.[3] He received attention from MLB scouts as a result of his 94-mile-per-hour (151 km/h) fastball.[1] He decided to commit to play college baseball for the University of Kentucky,[4] but he rescinded the decision and committed to Kent State University.[3] As a senior at Midview, Lauer pitched to a 7–0 win–loss record and a 0.15 earned run average (ERA), allowing one earned run in 47 innings pitched, while striking out 96 and allowing 12 hits and eight walks.[5] The Cleveland Plain Dealer named Lauer their player of the year for 2013,[3] and he was named Lorain County's Mr. Baseball.[6]

The Toronto Blue Jays selected Lauer in the 17th round of the 2013 MLB draft.[7] Lauer turned down a signing bonus in excess of $1 million to attend college.[8] Playing for the Kent State Golden Flashes, Lauer had a 5–4 win–loss record, a 1.98 ERA, and 103 strikeouts in 2015, in his sophomore year. During the summer, Lauer pitched for the Orleans Firebirds in the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.[9][10] He finished his junior year with a 0.69 ERA, the lowest in college baseball since 1979.[11] He won the National Pitcher of the Year Award and Mid-American Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Year Award.[12][13]

San Diego Padres

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The San Diego Padres selected Lauer in the first round, with the 25th overall selection, of the 2016 MLB draft.[14] He signed with the Padres, receiving a $2 million signing bonus.[15] Lauer made his professional debut with the Arizona Padres of the Rookie-level Arizona League,[16] and received promotions to the Tri-City Dust Devils of the Low–A Northwest League[17] and the Fort Wayne TinCaps of the Single–A Midwest League.[18] He finished the 2016 season with a 1–1 record and 2.03 ERA. He also had 37 strikeouts in 31 innings pitched.[19]

Lauer began the 2017 season with the Lake Elsinore Storm of the High–A California League. He pitched to a 2–5 record and a 2.79 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 67+2⁄3 innings, and was promoted to the San Antonio Missions of the Double–A Texas League in July.[20] In 10 games (nine starts) for the Missions, he was 4–3 with a 3.93 ERA.[citation needed] Lauer began the 2018 season with the El Paso Chihuahuas of the Triple–A Pacific Coast League.[21]

Lauer was promoted to the major leagues on April 24, 2018.[22][23] He made his debut the same day, pitching three innings against the Colorado Rockies, yielding six earned runs on six hits and four walks in three innings.[24] He was 6–7 in 23 starts for the Padres with a 4.34 ERA, striking out 100 in 112 innings. He led the major leagues in pickoffs, with 10, while giving up only five stolen bases with two caught stealing.[25]

Milwaukee Brewers

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On November 27, 2019, the Padres traded Lauer and Luis Urías to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Trent Grisham, Zach Davies, and cash considerations or a player to be named later.[26] On July 11, 2020, Lauer was placed on the injured list after coming into close contact with somebody who tested positive for COVID-19.[27] On July 26, Lauer was activated from the injured list and appeared in his first game against the Chicago Cubs. Lauer played through a shoulder injury in 2020, recording a 13.09 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 11 innings pitched across four games.[28]

On May 26, 2021, Lauer hit his first career home run, a solo shot off of Chris Paddack of the Padres.[29] He had a 3.19 ERA in 20 games started during the 2021 season.[30] Lauer made 29 starts for Milwaukee during the 2022 campaign, compiling an 11–7 record and 3.69 ERA with 157 strikeouts across 158+2⁄3 innings pitched.[31]

On January 13, 2023, Lauer agreed to a one-year, $5.075 million contract with the Brewers, avoiding salary arbitration.[32] In 10 games (9 starts) for Milwaukee in 2023, he struggled to a 4–6 record and 6.56 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 46+2⁄3 innings pitched. Following the season on October 20, Lauer was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Nashville Sounds,[33] but denied the assignment and elected free agency on October 23.[34]

Pittsburgh Pirates

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On March 7, 2024, Lauer signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.[35] In 8 games (6 starts) for the Triple–A Indianapolis Indians, he compiled a 5.52 ERA with 37 strikeouts across 29+1⁄3 innings pitched. On May 16, Lauer exercised the opt–out clause in his contract and was granted his release by the Pirates.[36]

Houston Astros

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On May 20, 2024, Lauer signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros.[37] In 11 games (10 starts) for the Triple–A Sugar Land Space Cowboys, he compiled a 5.09 ERA with 49 strikeouts across 46 innings pitched. Lauer was released by August 1 in order to pursue a playing opportunity in Korea.[38]

Kia Tigers

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On August 1, 2024, Lauer signed with the Kia Tigers of the KBO League.[39] On August 11, he made his debut for the team, starting in a 5–4 loss at home to the Samsung Lions.[40] In 7 starts for the team, he logged a 2–2 record and 4.93 ERA with 37 strikeouts across 34+2⁄3 innings pitched. With Kia, Lauer won the 2024 Korean Series.[41]

On November 30, 2024, the Tigers non–tendered Lauer, making him a free agent.[42]

References

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  1. ^ a b Paul Kiska; newsnet5.com. "Pitcher at Grafton's Midview High School Eric Lauer draws big-league scouts, throws 94 mph fastball". newsnet5. Archived from the original on June 1, 2016. Retrieved May 19, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "Talking with projected 1st-round draft pick Eric Lauer". MLB.com. June 9, 2016. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Rogers, Tim (July 5, 2013). "Midview's Eric Lauer headlines Plain Dealer High School All-Star Baseball Team for 2013". cleveland.com. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  4. ^ "Midview left-hander Lauer commits to play for Kentucky". cleveland.com. May 19, 2012. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  5. ^ "Baseball: Midview's Eric Lauer could go fast in MLB draft – Chronicle-Telegram". Chronicle-Telegram. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  6. ^ "Mr. Baseball 2013: Midview's Eric Lauer has tremendous talent; plenty of options, too – Chronicle-Telegram". Chronicle-Telegram. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  7. ^ "Midview's Eric Lauer drafted by Toronto Blue Jays". The Morning Journal. November 20, 2009. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  8. ^ "Kent State star pitcher Eric Lauer has stuck to his plan – and unmatched success has followed". The Record-Courier. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  9. ^ "#19 Eric Lauer". pointstreak.com. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  10. ^ "Midview graduate Eric Lauer stars in Cape Cod". The Morning Journal. November 20, 2009. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  11. ^ "Kent State and Midview graduate Eric Lauer sees no reason to fret about his MLB Draft status following super season". North Coast Now. June 9, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  12. ^ "Lauer Honored as Pitcher of the Year at HOF's Annual Night of Champions". kentstatesports.com. Kent State Golden Flashes. July 5, 2016. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  13. ^ McNees, Marissa (June 9, 2016). "MLB draft: Kent State pitcher Eric Lauer taken by San DiegoPadres". The News-Herald. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  14. ^ "Padres draft Sanchez, Lauer with Nos. 24–25 picks". The San Diego Union-Tribune. June 9, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  15. ^ "Padres sign Draft pick Mason Thompson". MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  16. ^ Sanders, Jeff (July 9, 2016). "Minors: Lauer takes loss in pro debut: Recapping the previous day of action for the Padres' minor league affiliates". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  17. ^ Avallone, Michael (August 22, 2016). "Lauer nabs first career win for Dust Devils: Padres' No. 9 prospect produces fifth scoreless start in six outings". MiLB.com. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  18. ^ Kenyon, David (September 2, 2016). "TinCaps top Loons in Eric Lauer's Fort Wayne debut". WANE-TV. TinCaps Media Relations. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  19. ^ "Eric Lauer Stats, Highlights, Bio | MiLB.com Stats | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Milb.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  20. ^ "Padres' Eric Lauer thriving in first full year in pro ball". The San Diego Union-Tribune. July 15, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  21. ^ Avallone, Michael (April 15, 2018). "Lauer deals all aces in scoreless outing". MiLB.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  22. ^ Acee, Kevin (April 24, 2018). "Eric Lauer next prospect up for Padres". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  23. ^ Cassavell, A. J. (April 23, 2018). "Lauer draws Coors Field start for MLB debut". MLB.com. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  24. ^ Cassavell, A. J. (April 24, 2018). "Prospect Lauer knocked around in MLB debut". MLB.com. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  25. ^ "2018 Major League Baseball Baserunning/Situ". Baseball-Reference.com.
  26. ^ Adam McCalvy (November 27, 2019). "Crew acquires Urias, Lauer in deal with Padres". MLB.com. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  27. ^ "Brewers' Lauer out due to coronavirus contact". ESPN.com. July 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  28. ^ "Eric Lauer's 2020 shoulder injury was worse than initially thought". March 3, 2021.
  29. ^ "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel".
  30. ^ "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel".
  31. ^ "Eric Lauer 2022 Game By Game Pitching Logs". baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  32. ^ "2023 MLB Arbitration Tracker". MLBTradeRumors. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  33. ^ "Brewers' Eric Lauer: Outrighted to Nashville". cbssports.com. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  34. ^ Farkas, Brady (October 23, 2023). "Milwaukee Brewers' Lefty Opts For Free Agency Instead of Triple-A Assignment". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  35. ^ "Pirates To Sign Eric Lauer To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. March 7, 2024.
  36. ^ "Eric Lauer Opts Out Of Pirates Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  37. ^ "Astros, Eric Lauer Agree To Minor League Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  38. ^ "Astros' Eric Lauer Granted Release, Will Reportedly Pursue KBO Opportunity". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  39. ^ "Eric Lauer: Headed to KBO". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  40. ^ "Samsung Lions vs. Kia Tigers - August 11, 2024 6:00 pm KST at Gwangju". MyKBO Stats. August 11, 2024. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  41. ^ "Kia Tigers win Korean Series for 1st time in 7 years". koreatimes.co.kr. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  42. ^ Jee-ho, Yoo (November 30, 2024). "Korean Series champions Tigers part ways with pitcher Lauer; Wiz to replace lefty Benjamin". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
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